Hey Jude, don’t make it bad. And maybe don’t make it X-rated bad either.
After Jude Bellingham scored an absolute worldie last night and restored all our hope before England made it through to the Euro quarter-finals, he also may have got himself in a bit of trouble.
Yep, the young striker smashed the ball into the net with a stunning bicycle kick in the 95th minute last night (30 June), taking us into extra time with what he reckons is the ‘best goal of his career’.
And while the lad was named UEFA's Player of the Match for England vs Slovakia, he’s faced criticism for the X-rated gesture he made towards the bench after that goal.
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Walking back up the pitch alongside captain Harry Kane after scoring, Bellingham seemed to turn to the benches, wipe his mouth and then gesture a wide hand in and out towards his crotch.
But while users on X demanded he ‘has to get punished for this’, while going as far to say ‘he should be disqualified’ and called the gesture ‘horrible’, the player has served up an explanation.
Using a yawn and red cross emojis, the Real Madrid star wrote: “An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game.
“Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.”
However, there’s still a chance Bellingham could’ve got himself in some trouble.
That’s because the rules of the game indicate any ‘obscene gesture’ or ‘offensive or insulting action’ made by those on the pitch should be punishable by a dreaded red card.
And obviously, we all know that would be an absolute nightmare for England right now.
It’s not the first time the lad’s faced punishment for his behaviour during a match this year either. While playing for Real Madrid back in March, Bellingham was sent off for arguing back at referee Jesus Gil Manzano after his would be game-winning header was ruled out.
But as the young star insists it was just an ‘inside joke’ with his mates watching on, fans called him a ‘very respectful’ player and a true ‘Star Boy’.
“Don’t mind them my king,” one wrote as others called it a showing of ‘passion’.
However, some other football fans aren’t so convinced by Bellingham’s explanation as they told him to do his ‘talking with the ball’.
“Maybe it was addressed to Southgate,” one joked.
UEFA said to LADbible in a comment: "Following the review of the officials reports for ENG-SVK match, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the English Football Association for lighting of fireworks and crowd disturbances. The CEDB will take a decision on this case in due course. No further proceedings have been opened."
Jess Battison